Honey helped heal hard-to-treat wound

Q. I was suffering from severe diabetes-induced osteomyelitis (bone infection with open ulcers) on my foot. I was prescribed Medihoney to treat the ulcer.

This is a waxy sheet of honey that you cut to the size of the wound before applying the bandage. It was soothing and worked to reduce the infection and help heal my foot.

With this treatment and subsequent hyperbaric oxygen chamber treatments, the ulcer healed, and I didn’t require an amputation.

A. We are delighted to learn that treatment with medicinal honey (Medihoney) helped heal your skin ulcers. Research supports the use of this product for wound care (Spinal Cord, February 2012; Journal of Clinical Nursing, February 2009).

Q. What is the dose of gin for the gin-soaked raisins? I mean, after about six ounces of gin and half a pound of raisins I must admit I felt no more pain! Just fooling. Can you tell me how much is recommended per day? I’d like some experiential knowledge from those who have obtained a positive result without getting soused.

A. Luckily, you do not have to get tipsy to benefit from gin-soaked raisins. The dose is nine a day. We had them analyzed, and there is approximately one drop of alcohol in that amount.

For more details, we are sending you our Guide to Alternatives for Arthritis, with instructions on preparing the raisins and answers to frequently asked questions. We also discuss other approaches to easing joint pain in case the raisins don’t work for you. Anyone who would like a copy, can download guides for $2 from our website: www.PeoplesPharmacy.com.

Q. I used to get skin tags removed by my doctor. Then my insurance stopped covering it, as they classified the problem as cosmetic. The collars on the shirts I am required to wear to work were irritating my skin tags, but that’s the insurance company for you. I’m going to try liquid bandage, since I saw on your website it might work. I’ll see if this does the trick.

A. We learned about this remedy from our readers. One wrote: “This is a note of thanks and appreciation. Several years ago, I cut out your column regarding applying liquid bandage twice a day to make skin tags disappear. I never tried it until recently.

“One skin tag kept getting caught in my necklace. I remembered your article and bought the drugstore brand of liquid bandage. To my delight, within a week of applying it twice a day, the skin tag was gone. I’ve since tried this remedy on additional skin tags on my neck, and once again, they have also gone. I can’t thank you enough.”

Skin tags are benign fleshy growths that frequently appear where the skin folds (armpit, neck or groin.) They are not dangerous, but can be annoying. Dermatologists can remove them surgically, but that could become costly if insurance won’t pay. Although home remedies are rarely tested in a scientific manner, our readers have reported success with a variety of treatments. You can read about other approaches at www.PeoplesPharmacy.com.

2012 King Features Syndicate, Inc.

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